Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant named ‘LUCKYWHIT’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Zamioculcas zamiifolia  cultivar named ‘LUCKYWHIT’ is disclosed, characterized by variegated leaves and a curled leaf margin. The new variety is a  Zamioculcas zamiifolia , normally produced as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Zamioculcas zamiifolia.

Variety denomination: ‘LUCKYWHIT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Zamioculcas zamiifolia cultivar is a product of a chancediscovery by the inventor, Edward Bruinen, in Maasdijk, The Netherlands.The inventor identified and selected the interesting mutation ofZamioculcas zamiifolia and proceeded to test its suitability forornamental commercial applications.

The parent is an unpatented, unnamed variety of Zamioculcas zamiifolia.The new variety was discovered in August 2007 by the inventor as anaturally occurring whole plant mutation, in a commercial greenhouse inMaasdijk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘LUCKYWHIT’ by vegetativecuttings was first performed at a commercial greenhouse in Maasdijk, TheNetherlands in September 2007 and has shown that the unique features ofthis cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘LUCKYWHIT’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘LUCKYWHIT’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘LUCKYWHIT’ as a new and distinct Zamioculcaszamiifolia cultivar:

-   -   1. Variegated leaves    -   2. Curled leaf margin

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LUCKYWHIT’ are similar to plants of theparent, Zamioculcas zamiifolia. in most horticultural characteristics,however, plants of the new cultivar ‘LUCKYWHIT’ produce variegatedleaves compared to green leaves. Also the leaf margin of ‘LUCKYWHIT’ iscurled whereas the parent is not.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of ‘LUCKYWHIT’ are best compared to the parent variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘LUCKYWHIT’ grown in a greenhouse, in a 17 cm pot. Ageof the plant photographed is approximately 18 months from a rootedcutting.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘LUCKYWHIT’ plants grown in a greenhouse, inMaasdijk, The Netherlands. The growing temperature ranged from 20° C.during the day to 18° C. during the night. General light conditions arenormal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types. Plants are approximately 18 months old from arooted cutting.

-   Botanical classification: Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘LUCKYWHIT’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 14-21 days at approximately 22° C.-   Root description: Moderately free branched, thick, non-fibrous,    non-fleshy, coloured grey-brown; 199B.-   Time to produce rooted plantlet: Approximately 4-5 weeks at    approximately 22 ° C.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright, narrow inverted triangular.-   Plant shape: Narrow inverted triangular.-   Height: Approximately 58.1 cm to top of highest leaf.-   Plant spread: Approximately 28.9 cm in a 17 cm pot.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching characteristics: Not branching, leaves grow directly from    a basal clump.-   Number of clumps: Average: 1.-   Number of leaves per clump: Average 5.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 18 months.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Leaves alternately paripinnate.        -   Average length(excluding petiole).—Approximately 33.7 cm            (measured from lowest leaflet to top).        -   Average width.—Approximately 14.3 cm.-   Leaflets:    -   -   Shape of blade.—Leaflets ovate to elliptic.        -   Average length.—Approximately 7.4 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 4.6 cm.        -   Aspect.—Flat to somewhat undulating along margin.        -   Apex.—Abruptly acute.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, very glossy.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, very glossy (but slightly            less than upper side).        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green N137C, upper            ⅔ of leaf blade heavily blotched and marbled with RHS            Yellow-Green 144B and 144C. Young foliage under side: Near            RHS Green 141A, upper ⅓ of leaf blade heavily blotched and            marbled RHS 143B. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green            143A, outer (marginal) ⅔ of leaf blade heavily blotched and            marbled RHS Yellow-Green 151C and 151D. Mature foliage under            side: Near RHS Green 143A, upper ⅓ of leaf blade heavily            blotched and marbled 144C.-   Venation:    -   -   Type.—Pinnate.        -   Venation coloration upper side.—Near RHS Green 143B.        -   Venation coloration under side.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.-   Rachis:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 40.0 cm.        -   Width.—At narrowest point: Approximately 0.4 cm. Above            clump: Approximately 2.4 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 148B.        -   Strength.—Very strong.        -   Texture.—Smooth, dull, glabrous.-   Other structures: None present.

FLOWER

-   Typically non flowering. No flowers, no reproductive organs    observed.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seed production: Not observed to date.-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.-   Temperature tolerance: Low temperature tolerance to at least 5° C.,    high temperatures to at least 40° C.-   Drought tolerance: Moderate tolerance for drought.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Zamioculcaszamiifolia plant named ‘LUCKYWHIT’ as herein illustrated and described.